Plot to blow up the House of Parliament in England.

The infamous Guy Fawkes and others planned to destroy the Parliament buildings while King James I was to preside over the opening session. The group resented the attitude of the government towards Roman Catholics.

Guy Fawkes was caught just as he was about to apply a lighted taper to barrels of gun powder.

Since 1606, November 5 has been a public holiday in England where it has become the custom to hoist an effigy of Guy Fawkes on a pole and ignite a fire beneath it. Fire crackers are also set off before, during and after the burning of the effigy.

In recent years, Guy Fawkes Day has not been observed in Bermuda partially due to the banning of firecrackers.

The only remaining tradition is eating sweet potato pudding. Here are several sweet potato pudding recipes you can try and enjoy on Guy Fawkes Day.

Recipes on Page 32 Variety of sweet potato pudding recipes SWEET POTATO PUDDING 4 cups raw sweet potato (grated) 1 cup butter 2 cups evaporated milk 1 cup Karo syrup 3 eggs 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon cloves 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup raisins (optional) CREAM butter, sugar and spices. Add eggs and beat well. Add raisins, grated sweet potato, milk and syrup. Mix well. Bake in a greased baking pan for 2 hours at 325 degrees F. Serve with whipped cream.

NOTE: When a crust begins to form on the bottom and around the edges, stir the pudding well and allow it to continue baking.

Recipe from the Bermuda Cookbook.

*** SWEET POTATO PUDDING 12 cups flour 11 cups sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon allspice 1 teaspoon cloves 1 cup unsalted butter 1 cup cooked, mashed sweet potato 1 cup orange juice 1 egg SIFT together the dry ingredients. In a mixer, blend together the butter, sweet potato and juice. Add the egg, then the flour-spice mixture, a little at a time until it is all well incorporated.

Pour the batter into a greased 8-inch square cake pan and bake in a pre-heated 350-degree oven for 40 minutes, until the top springs back to the touch.

Recipes from the Spirit of Bermuda.

*** SWEET POTATO PUDDING (TRADITIONAL) 12 cups flour 11 cups sugar 1 teaspoon soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon allspice 1 teaspoon cloves 1 cup margarine 1 cup mashed, cooked sweet potato 1 cup water 1 egg SIFT all dry ingredients together into a mixing bowl. Add margarine, sweet potato and water. Beat about 300 strokes by hand or 2 minutes with electric beater. Scrape sides of bowl. Add egg. Beat 2 minutes longer.

Place batter in a greased 8-inch square cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Note: Despite its label, this pudding departs from the traditional in that it calls for more flour and less sweet potato. The reason for the change is to eliminate that heavy, soggy texture which was found in the old-time pudding.

To change the recipe still further, 1 cup chopped dates and 1 cup chopped nuts are good in this.

*** SWEET POTATO PUDDING (MODERN) In a mixing bowl mash sweet potatoes from two tins (1 pound 1 ounce) size.

Add: 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup melted butter 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon cloves 1 teaspoon allspice 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 cup orange juice BEAT 6 egg yolks with 12 cups sugar until thick. This is very important. Add to sweet potato mixture.

Coat one pound raisins with 1 cup flour. Add to sweet potato mixture.

Beat 6 egg whites with 1 cup sugar to make a meringue. Fold in.

Bake in two pans (about 13 x 10) that have been lightly greased and floured.

For glass pans, bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes. For metal tins, bake at 350 degrees.

Note: this recipe can be halved if you are not having a large Guy Fawkes party.

Recipes from What's Cooking in Bermuda.